SOUND IN YOGA
From silently watching the sound of the breath, to ecstatic chanting of sacred hymns, sound is used in yoga for many purposes. Soothing sound affects the mind beneficially.
Nada - the inner sound that is heard when the psycho-energetic currents are purified. This sound is said to originate in the centre of the spine. Yogis practice shanmukhi mudra, the 6-openings seal, to listen to the inner sound. This is not the sound of the breath or heart beat. In shanmukhi mudra:
the thumbs cover the ears
index fingers close the eyelids
middle fingers close the nostrils
fourth and little fingers close the lips
Pranayama involves the creation of sound as the air enters and leaves the body. Some techniques positively use sound as an integral part of their practice:
Sitkari, the Hissing breath, caused by exhaling through the mouth.
Bramhari, the Humming Bee breath, on the exhalation a low humming is created in the back of the throat.
Simhasana, the Lion pose, can use a roaring sound on the exhalation.
Bhakti yoga uses sound in the chanting or singing of hymns, Kirtan.. These are often led, with devotees repeating the line.
Meditation uses sound when japa mantra is repeated orally. However we are told that the sacred sound OM or AUM, is more powerful when only whispered, and even more powerful when repeated silently, mentally. Om is said to tbe the sound vibration from which the whole universe was created.
Mantra:
Aum consists of four parts. The sound aaaaa should feel as though it begins in the solar plexus / manipura chakra. As the sound rises into the heart region, anahata, and throat, vishuddha chakra, it changes to uuuu. Entering the back of the mouth it changes to the quiet mmmm, becoming a nasal vibration as it passes over the upper palate, and out of the body.
Om namah Sivaya, honours Shiva, and is the most revered mantra of Shaivism
Hari Rama, Hari Rama, Rama, Rama, Hari Hari. Hari Krishna, Hari Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hari Hari, is known as the Maha mantra or Great Mantra and forms part of the Kali Santarana Upanishad. Swami Sivananda decreed it should be chanted ceaselessly in his ashram in Rishikesh. Hari, one of Vishnu`s or Krishna`s many names. Rama was an avatar of God Vishnu,
Gayatri mantra is used daily by Hindus all over the world every day and dates back to Vedic times:
Om, Bhur Bhuvaha Swaha
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhi Mahi
Dhiyo Yo Naha Prachodayat
Let us contemplate that most excellent light of the divine, Savitr (the Sun God or Creator),so that he may remove all sin and ignorance, and inspire our visions.
From silently watching the sound of the breath, to ecstatic chanting of sacred hymns, sound is used in yoga for many purposes. Soothing sound affects the mind beneficially.
Nada - the inner sound that is heard when the psycho-energetic currents are purified. This sound is said to originate in the centre of the spine. Yogis practice shanmukhi mudra, the 6-openings seal, to listen to the inner sound. This is not the sound of the breath or heart beat. In shanmukhi mudra:
the thumbs cover the ears
index fingers close the eyelids
middle fingers close the nostrils
fourth and little fingers close the lips
Pranayama involves the creation of sound as the air enters and leaves the body. Some techniques positively use sound as an integral part of their practice:
Sitkari, the Hissing breath, caused by exhaling through the mouth.
Bramhari, the Humming Bee breath, on the exhalation a low humming is created in the back of the throat.
Simhasana, the Lion pose, can use a roaring sound on the exhalation.
Bhakti yoga uses sound in the chanting or singing of hymns, Kirtan.. These are often led, with devotees repeating the line.
Meditation uses sound when japa mantra is repeated orally. However we are told that the sacred sound OM or AUM, is more powerful when only whispered, and even more powerful when repeated silently, mentally. Om is said to tbe the sound vibration from which the whole universe was created.
Mantra:
Aum consists of four parts. The sound aaaaa should feel as though it begins in the solar plexus / manipura chakra. As the sound rises into the heart region, anahata, and throat, vishuddha chakra, it changes to uuuu. Entering the back of the mouth it changes to the quiet mmmm, becoming a nasal vibration as it passes over the upper palate, and out of the body.
Om namah Sivaya, honours Shiva, and is the most revered mantra of Shaivism
Hari Rama, Hari Rama, Rama, Rama, Hari Hari. Hari Krishna, Hari Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hari Hari, is known as the Maha mantra or Great Mantra and forms part of the Kali Santarana Upanishad. Swami Sivananda decreed it should be chanted ceaselessly in his ashram in Rishikesh. Hari, one of Vishnu`s or Krishna`s many names. Rama was an avatar of God Vishnu,
Gayatri mantra is used daily by Hindus all over the world every day and dates back to Vedic times:
Om, Bhur Bhuvaha Swaha
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhi Mahi
Dhiyo Yo Naha Prachodayat
Let us contemplate that most excellent light of the divine, Savitr (the Sun God or Creator),so that he may remove all sin and ignorance, and inspire our visions.